Projects on Heat and Thermodynamics

Electronics Infoline Web

A simple rocket engine you can build in your kitchen

There is a fascination about rockets that delights children and adults alike. The arc of smoke, the idea of flight, and the fun of action at a distance combine to make rockets a wonderful toy. To these pleasures we will add the forbidden glee of playing with matches, and the satisfaction of learning how something magical actually works. Unlike most of the rest of this book, this really is rocket science.

http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/thermo/thermo.html#rockets

Hero steam engine.

In the first century AD, the mathematician Hero of Alexandria described a device called the aeolipile, in which steam was conducted through pipes from a boiler to a sphere which had two jets from which the steam could escape.

http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/thermo/thermo.html

The worlds simplest steam powered boat

The boat is a plastic bottle, cut in half lengthwise. I used a soft plastic bottle that contact lens saline solution comes in. It is made of white High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and is very easy to cut using an Xacto knife or other sharp utility knife.

http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/thermo/thermo.html

Greenhouse Effect

Why does it get really hot inside a car parked in the sun? It's the greenhouse effect.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/greenhouse.html

Heat From Light Bulbs - the higher the watts, the hotter the bulb?

A compact fluorescent bulb gives off very little heat energy because they do not use resistance and cause a light to glow hot.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/heat.html

Insulation

Learn what materials make the best insulation.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/insulation.html

Peanut Power - use the energy stored in a peanut to heat water.

The chemical energy stored in the peanut was released and converted into heat energy. The heat energy raised the temperature of the water in the small can.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/peanut.html